at usaa, we know military life is different. we've been there. that's why every bit of financial advice we offer is geared specifically to current and former military members and their families. [ laughs ] dad! dad! [ applause ] ♪ [ male announcer ] life brings obstacles. usaa brings advice. call or visit us online. we're ready to help. >>> welcome back. our latest nbc news "wall street journal" finds americans believe the republican party has already gone off the cliff, an image cliff, that s our first rate team crunched the numbers and found 45% of the viewers had a negative view of republicans, only 30% approve of the gop. as for democrats, 44% approve, 35% disapprove. joining me now a closer look at the numbers, nbc political editor mark murray. mark, you know d.c. so well and we know the optic story matters. when you look at these poll numbers, i mean there is a common theme here. >> there is. and common theme is that president obama has the upper hand in these fiscal cliff negotiations and everything else going on right now, precisably be